NRC Accelerated Education Theory of Change (introduction)
1. PROGRAMMA
Washington DC, 2-4 November 2015
2015 USAID GLOBAL EDUCATION SUMMIT
«NRC’s theory of change
for accelerated education
programs»
Andrea Naletto │ Education Adviser
2. About NRC │ Introduction
Rights respected
People protected“
“
4. NRC’s AEPs│ Background
In emergencies &
crisis: Children &
youth miss out
schooling
Time goes by, greater
risk of not returning to
school
An Answer? AE
opportunities
5. AEP│ What are they?Who
Over age, out of school children and youth (9-14+)
Who missed out or interrupted their education due
to conflict and crisis situations
What&Goal
Flexible, age-appropriate
Equivalent certified competencies as in the formal system
In an accelerated timeframe
Transitioning to mainstream education
at some intermediary point
Or completing an entire primary cycle
within the programme
10. AEP ToC │ How emergent is it?
1. Field-focused, Field-
owned & context-
specific
2. Emphasis is on
learning
3. Encourages working
collectively & in
partnerships
2015 USAID Global Education Summit Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) «Theory of Change for Accelerated Education Programs»
Prepared by: Andrea Naletto, NRC Education Adviser [andrea.naletto@nrc.no]
Photos: Andrea Naletto, NRC archive, IDMC, Save the Children/Children of Peace Project, Google Images
For NRC Accelerated Education is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of models, roughly divided into:
Catch-up programmes refer to short to (in some cases medium term) transitional education activities that focus on the resumption of formal education for children and youth who missed out or had their education interrupted. Catch-up programmes ensure that key learning components are acquired to support re-entry to the formal system.
Accelerated Learning Models programmes refer to longer-term educational programmes that enable learners to complete a full course of basic education within the programme, often in an accelerated fashion.
Regardless of their duration and scope, the underpinning principle of AEPs is “Accelerated learning”: The pedagogical approach based on principles and practices of teaching and learning that result in better, deeper learning and more rapid acquisition of education content
It is not just faster learning, but deeper and more proficient learning
This type of enhanced learning is challenging to get in Norway, the USA or in my home country of Italy, let alone in crisis-affected contexts with scare resources
I cannot not emphasized enough importance of the right “preconditions” for this deeper learning to take place (e.g. psychosocial/trauma, nutrition/health, teaching, education material, classrooms size, parent’s engagement etc.).
Useful resources:
“NRC Accelerated Education Meta Evaluation” http://www.nrc.no/?did=9208170
USAID-commissioned study “Accelerating Learning for Children in Developing Countries: Joining Research and Practice”. Prepared by: Judith A. Charlick, Ph.D., Consultant Creative Associates International Washington, DC